GUIDANCE ON THE FORMAT OF EXAMINATION PAPERS
General formatting of front page and paper
 Margins:
To be set at 2.5 cm all round.
 Font:
Times New Roman 12 (mandatory for University-based exams), or Arial 11.
 Line Spacing:
Single.
Content for front page
The format of the front sheet of exam papers will differ according to whether it is a ‘Universitybased’ or ‘School-based’ exam.
 Please see overleaf for an example template for the front page of an exam paper. Text
highlighted in yellow will always need to be specified.
 A specific template front page is supplied by Senate House for University-based papers –
this may look different to the example overleaf.
Rubric for front page
The rubric on the front page should give clear statements and instructions about:
 The number of questions on the paper, and the number of questions to be answered.
 Whether formulae sheets etc. are attached to the question paper.
 What materials are provided with the question paper (e.g. the number of answer books,
graph paper, etc).
 The use of calculators (please use the standard text shown overleaf, after the instructions).
The rubric is used by staff who are setting up the examination room to determine what should
be provided on each exam desk and it is important that it is clear and accurate. Please note:
 ‘attached’ should mean stapled to the exam question paper.
 ‘provided’ should mean placed separately on the candidates’ desks.
‘Instructions to Candidates’ will need to be amended according to specifics of each
examination.
 Each distinct instruction should be clearly numbered.
 Leading words, including the number of questions to be answered, should be in capitals
and UNDERLINED or typed BOLD for emphasis. For example:
1. Answer ONE question from EACH section
2. Each answer carries the same number of marks
3. Write your answers in the answer books provided NOT on the question
paper.
or
1. Answer FOUR of the following TEN questions.
2. You must answer:
TWO questions from SECTION A and
ONE question from SECTION B and
1
ONE question from SECTION C
3. Sections A and B are worth 25 marks each. Section C is worth 50
marks.
If questions are to be answered on the question paper, there must be space for students to
write their candidate number on the front of the paper, together with instructions to do so – the
example front page overleaf would need to be adapted accordingly.
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UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
Exam No.
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
MSc Examination
for Internal Students of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
MSc Course Title
PAPER Choose an item
Click here to enter a date.
Start time to End time
Number of sheets blank answer booklets to be provided on candidates’ desks before the start
of the examination
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
DO NOT REMOVE THIS EXAMINATION PAPER FROM THE EXAM HALL
1. Candidates should answer Number of the following number questions.
2. All questions carry an equal number of marks.
3. Write your answers in the answer books provided and NOT on the question paper.
4. Answer each question in a SEPARATE answer book.
5. It is strongly recommended that you write legibly in BLACK ink.
6. Statistical Formulae Sheets are attached at the end of this paper.
7. If a calculator is used, the make and type of machine must be stated clearly on the front
cover of the answer book.
Students may use their own electronic calculators in the examination where specified in the
admission notice. Any calculator must be of the hand-held type, quiet in operation and
compact, and must have its own power supply. Programmable calculators may be used.
Personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones or other devices which may have a wireless
or internet connection are strictly forbidden. Students are entirely responsible for ensuring that
their calculators are in working order for the examination and for providing in advance for
alternative means of calculation in the event of the calculator failing during the examination
© University of London Choose a year
PLEASE TURN OVER
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Content for main exam paper (after front page)
The following instructions cover pages after the front page. Questions should never begin on
the front page.
Pagination
 Page numbering should be continuous from the first page and should indicate the total
number of pages, e.g. “2 of 8”.
 The words ‘PLEASE TURN OVER’ should be printed on the cover page and then on odd
numbered pages for UoL papers, which are printed back to back including the front cover.
 If for School based papers you do not print on the back of the front cover, ‘PLEASE TURN
OVER’ should then be on all even numbered pages.
 The words ‘END OF PAPER’ must be printed immediately after the final question.
Format of questions
 Questions should be numbered consecutively throughout and should not revert to question
1 at the start of a new section.
 One line space should be inserted between sections and sub sections and FOUR line
spaces between questions.
 Questions should be presented in the following format:
1.
This is question 1. The indent tab is set at 1.27 cm. The question starts at the indent.
The marks should be aligned at the right hand margin on a new line below the end of
the question or section to which they relate. The marks should be bold and italicised
to make them stand out from the remainder of the text.
[marks]
a)
This is a section of a question. The section letter is aligned with the body of
the question at 1.27 cm and the question starts at 2.5 cm.
[marks]
i)
This is a question sub-section. The sub-section number is aligned with
the section at 2.5 cm and the question starts at 3.5 cm.
[marks]
Splitting questions across pages
 The splitting of questions between pages should be avoided if at all possible. If a small
reduction in the margins would allow the question to fit on the page, margins can be
changed for that page only. Where necessary, a question should be started on a new
page to avoid unnecessary splitting.
Diagrams and tables
 Diagram/table numbers and the legend should be centred under the diagram/table. For
example:
Table 1 Association of Cancer and Birth Order

Diagrams and graphics should NOT be in colour and must be sufficiently dark and clear
to produce good quality photocopies, particularly when scanned from another source.
Quotations, sources and lists
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

Quotations – use single quote marks with double quotes within the sentence where
necessary.
Sources – should be at the end of long quotes and flush with the right hand margin.
Lists – should be indented and separated from the question.
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